We are now in Week 4 of the flowering stage. Here are the new developments we will dive into:
- Continued growth and stretching
- Further development of pre-flower bud sites
- Concluding the training period as stalks firm up
In this episode of A Week-by-Week Guide to Flowering Cannabis Indoors, Travis is back to walk us through these observations during the fourth week of the flowering period. Things are getting real exciting now that these plants are starting to mature.
Changes from Week 3 to Week 4: Continued Growth and Further Development of Bud Sites
If you watched the video, then you can see how exciting the fourth week can be. It is at this stage that you truly start to see the plants mature and begin blooming.
While Week 3 showed the emergence of the pre-flower bud sites, it is in Week 4 that you truly see these sites begin to form flowers. Which is exciting!
Up until this point, the plants look like they’re still in veg, just a little taller and thicker. But in Week 4, you finally get that feeling that things are going well. You really get to see the flowering period unfold. Which means you are on the right track!
Week 4 represents the peak of bushy overgrowth
At this stage, you are witnessing the peak of the bushy overgrowth. As you can see in the video, plants in Week 4 are in need of heavy defoliation.
At Smokey Okies Cannabis, we perform a heavy defoliation at the end of Week 2, and the end of Week 4. You could switch that up to Week 3 and 5, or Weeks 1, 2, and 4, etc. There is not one correct way.
However, given the stressful nature of ripping leaves and foliage off a plant, we have arrived at a Standard Operating Procedure that works for us. And that is limiting defoliation to two events during the flowering period.
We space our pruning events with two-week intervals to provide adequate recovery. And when we do go in to chop, we perform an ultra heavy, non-discriminating hand, stripping away as much as possible.
Why you should Defoliate in Week 4
There are several objections we seek to accomplish by defoliating our plants in Week 4:
- Allow light penetration below the top layer of cannabis
- Remove foliage that will never amount to anything, but takes up space
- Increase air-flow beneath the canopy
- Prevent environments that can promote mold or pests
The main benefit by achieving those first two items is a direct increase in our yield. Because if the top colas can absorb more light without interference from fan leaves, we get fatter colas. If the branches under the top layer of trellis get more light, we get more yield overall.
And the latter two bullet points support overall plant health, which is obviously important for both yield and quality.
How to Defoliate in Week 4
The best practice is to completely remove everything beneath the first layer of trellis. Even if it is a bud site that is flowering, get rid of it. These puny tiny branches will never yield anything worth actually trimming, drying and curing. In fact, they will waste your time and only create more trouble for you.
So rule #1 is to remove everything below the first layer of trellis.
Now, for the branches that are between the first and second layers, you want to keep the branches that are poking all the way through to the top. And you want to keep all bud sites that are flowering and capable of becoming something worthy if given enough light.
So make room for more light. Remove all the fan leaves on every branch between these two layers. Leave only the bud sites and colas that are forming. You will see that as light is allowed to penetrate down to these branches, the colas will perk up and start growing vertically.
The End of the Post-Vegetative Stretching and Training
Week 4 concludes the end of the post-veg stretch, which means that you are done training these plants. Further, as you can see, the stalks and branches are firming up and becoming stiffer. In next week’s video, you’ll see that by Week 5 the stalks are completely firm, incapable of being bent or manipulated.
But that is okay because you’ve already done the hard work.
The reason Week 4 is so exciting is because it marks the end of an era and the start of a new one. Your plants are done rebounding to the 12/12 light cycle and growing like a teenage in puberty.
It is at this stage that your plants are beginning to bloom, revealing their true intentions for the remainder of this 12/12 light cycle.
And for you, the grower, the nice thing to know is that all the labor is done. You’ve already trained the plants, coming in and weaving through the trellis, monitoring their growth patterns. You’ve already preformed a couple heavy defoliations.
It is at this point you are ready to coast through the second half of flower. Now the real fun begins!
Let’s move along and check out Week 5.
Greetings, fellow cannabis cultivation enthusiasts. I'm thrilled to delve into the intricacies of Week 4 in the flowering stage, sharing insights and expertise cultivated through hands-on experience. As someone deeply entrenched in the cannabis cultivation community, I've witnessed and participated in the evolution of plants through various growth stages, refining techniques to maximize yield and quality.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts embedded in the provided article:
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Continued Growth and Stretching:
- Observation: The article highlights the excitement in Week 4 as plants truly start to mature and bloom.
- Expert Insight: During this period, the plants exhibit significant growth, transitioning from a vegetative state to full-blown flowering. This phase is crucial for recognizing the success of your cultivation efforts.
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Development of Bud Sites:
- Observation: Week 4 sees the actual formation of flowers from the pre-flower bud sites.
- Expert Insight: While Week 3 set the stage with the emergence of pre-flower bud sites, Week 4 is when these sites transform into the flowers we anticipate. This transformation marks a critical juncture in the flowering process.
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Training Period Conclusion and Stalk Firming Up:
- Observation: The end of the training period is noted as stalks and branches firm up.
- Expert Insight: By Week 4, the plants have completed their post-veg stretch, and the stalks and branches are becoming rigid. This signifies the conclusion of training efforts and sets the stage for the next phase of flowering.
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Bushy Overgrowth and Defoliation:
- Observation: Week 4 represents the peak of bushy overgrowth, necessitating heavy defoliation.
- Expert Insight: The article emphasizes the importance of defoliating during Week 4 for multiple reasons, including improved light penetration, increased airflow, and prevention of mold or pest issues. The author recommends a specific defoliation strategy to enhance yield and overall plant health.
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Reasons for Defoliation in Week 4:
- Observation: The article lists several objectives achieved through defoliation, including light penetration, removal of non-productive foliage, increased airflow, and prevention of environmental issues.
- Expert Insight: Defoliating in Week 4 serves as a strategic move to enhance yield by focusing energy on top colas, optimizing light exposure, and ensuring a healthy growing environment.
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End of Post-Vegetative Stretching and Training:
- Observation: Week 4 concludes the post-veg stretch, signaling the end of training efforts.
- Expert Insight: With stalks and branches firming up, Week 4 marks the completion of training tasks. The grower is assured that the hard work in preparing the plants for the flowering stage is done, paving the way for the exciting bloom phase.
In summary, Week 4 is a pivotal juncture in the cannabis flowering process, where meticulous observations and strategic actions contribute to optimal plant development. As a seasoned cultivator, I can attest to the significance of this stage and the anticipation it brings for a successful harvest. Stay tuned for Week 5 as we continue this fascinating journey through the cannabis cultivation calendar. Happy growing!
